The researchers analysed the self-weighing patterns of over 1 000 adults over a year and found that people who never or seldom weighed themselves recorded no weight loss over the 12 month period.

In contrast, however, people who weighed themselves consistently every day, or at least six times per week, recorded more significant weight loss in the period.

The idea is that weighing yourself on a daily basis helps to keep you on track and maintain focus.

“Regularly weighing yourself can motivate you to engage in healthy eating and exercise behaviours, because it provides you with evidence that these behaviours are effective in helping you lose weight or prevent weight gain,” Meghan Butryn, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel was quoted saying in The Independent.

“Similarly, if you see weight gain on the scale, that information can motivate you to make a change.”

But just remember, it’s quite normal for weight to fluctuate depending on what time of the day you weigh yourself, when last you went to the toilet, what you ate the night before and hormonal factors like a woman’s menstrual cycle, so keep these things in mind next time you hop onto the scale.